Interesting discussion over on the Dallas Morning News ReligionBlog. The question is whether wickedness is soluble in good deeds. Ric Dexter, a Nichiren Buddhist (in the Soka mold, however) offers up a pretty good response, in part:
In the story of Anguliama (Necklace of Fingers), the murderer who wore a necklace of the fingers of his victims, having joined the Buddhist order, became known as Ahimsika (He who performs Virtuous Deeds). This story of inner transformation highlights the concept of human revolution. Through changing your central life tendency, past mistakes do not limit the good you can achieve.
Read other views here.
1 comment
A lot of the people responding believe in God. God can do as She likes showing mercy to the wicked or sending trials to the pious, so good or bad deeds are offset by your relationship with God. If I believe in anything (and it depends on the time of day you ask me)I think there are causes that produce effects. I don't think good and bad causes cancel each other out but that they co-exist in your life. Many religions think that you will be judged good or evil at the end of your life. I think everyday is judgement day and for most of us the results are mixed.